Chapter 2 – New York City

The drive back home was particularly quiet as Wesker kept his eyes on the road ahead. Most of the radio traffic had ceased, making the trip even more awkward.

'Please say something,' she pleaded with her mind.

"No," It was part whisper but still in his usual commanding tone.

"What?"

"No,"

"But I haven't…"

"Whatever it is, no." Shifting in her seat Henderson looked at him with her mouth in awe.

"You're some piece of work, aren't you?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"You know exactly what I mean. First you have me transferred across the country, now you refuse to talk to me."

"We're talking now," he said as he turned left at the stoplights.

"YOU CALL THIS TALKING?" She screamed causing Wesker to wince. Slamming his foot on the breaks he brought the cruiser to a sudden stop in the middle of the street. If it had been a few hours later he would have caused a considerable accident, but as it was the streets were barren.

"I'll make you regret that." He spat, his voice full of malice.

"Then quit fucking around and do it. You've wanted to since our first assignment in New York. I'll even give you my gun," Grabbing the pistol she offered it to him handle first. Wesker looked at the gun, then at her – the expression on his face never changing. "And for God's sake would you take off those damn sunglasses!" Now a smile was seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Jamming the gun back into its holster she straightened in her seat and stared out the windshield.

"I thought you'd changed. When I was told about the transfer I thought maybe..." she trailed off.

"You know I'll never change."

"Then why am I here? Why go through all the trouble?"

"It was no trouble."
"No, it never is. Not with you."

"Good, now we understand each other." Putting the car in drive he continued to the precinct.

"I'll never understand you. You have too many secrets."

"They couldn't possibly be any worse then yours, my dear." Wesker was right. Her life was rife with secrets just as his was- and much like Wesker, Umbrella was more than involved. Before joining S.T.A.R.S. three years ago she had been a member of Umbrella's strike force, cleaning up their messes, 'And Wesker's too.' She thought.

"Will it ever end?"

"What?"

"All their bullshit - All their games?"

"Their time will come," his voice cold from their argument.

"You seem confident about that."

"I'm always confident." Now Henderson laughed. It was slowly becoming clear to her.

"You've been thinking. You and Doctor Birkin, haven't you? I can smell burning." Pulling into the parking garage Wesker turned off the engine.

"You'll be briefed when it's time, Lieutenant."

"You know I don't work for Umbrella anymore, Captain." She said, stressing his rank.

"I wouldn't trust this task to anyone else."

"It surprises me that you would 'trust' at all."

"You know me better then anyone."

"I don't know you at all."

"Precisely," Crinkling her brow she shook her head. "You know Birkin…"

"You brought me here to baby-sit the good Doctor?"

"I can't rely on him anymore. He's completely absorbed in his research on the G-Virus." Listening to him speak she rubbed her thumb and forefinger over her forehead. 'I should have known it would be something more complex then just a simple baby-sitting job," Wesker wasn't one to 'pussy-foot' around when I came to jobs for her. He seemed to be more confident in her abilities then she was.

"Does Umbrella know about his project?"

"Of course they do."

"Do they know about yours?" Wesker turned to face her, slipping his sunglasses off and tucking them into his shirt pocket.

"Even you, my dear Charlotte, will not know my full plan. Not until the very end."

"When I have to clean up your mess." She added, impressed and yet curious why he had used her first name.

"If you do your job effectively I will reward you for your loyalty. Until then stay silent of such things. I don't want my 'surprise' to be spoiled." Swinging the door open he climbed out - Henderson did the same.

"So you want me to blend in with the others? Need me to keep your 'Redfield' on a tight leash?" Wesker stopped and glanced back at her, then moved around to her side of the car. Snaking his fingers around she side of her neck he pulled her close, pressing his body against hers.

"Who you choose to lay with is none of my concern." He whispered in her ear – his breath warm against her cheek. "But Redfield is to be left alone."

Releasing her from his grasp Wesker walked away leaving her alone beneath the pale yellow ceiling lights.